5 Tips to Improve Soil

Spoil Your Soil

You wouldn't normally think of pony poo as something to pamper with, but aged animal manure, garden compost, green manure crops, leaf mould and spent mushroom compost are all exciting Birthday treats for your garden soil. All you need to do is dig them into the topsoil, for great results.

Aged animal manures are useful because they contain a high proportion of nitrogen, whereas compost is a more balanced source of plant nutrients. Composted ‘green waste’ is also readily available, or you can make the sustainable choice and start to make your own compost.

All organic materials will eventually decompose in soil, so they need to be renewed from time to time - especially in flower and vegetable beds that are regularly cultivated.

Clay soils in particular benefit from added organic matter, because it improves their structure; by opening up the space between close-packed clay particles it allows better air and water movement. Also, if you add coarse sand to heavy soils you can make a permanent improvement in their texture. Spread the sand to a depth of 5–8cm, then dig it thoroughly into the topsoil to a depth of 15–20cm.

Gypsum can be incorporated into clay soil to help bind clay particles into crumbs. In most cases, gypsum will help the soil to drain more effectively. Pro Tip: It's easy to completely destroy the crumb structure of clay and clay loam by digging while the soil is wet, so allow the soil to dry out a bit before digging. A rule of thumb when cultivating any soil, is only dig the topsoil. Don't dig so deep that you bring subsoil up to the surface, because it's likely to be heavy clay.

1. Use Organic Mulches.

Applying mulch over garden soil helps reduce moisture loss, protects soil (and plant roots) from abrupt temperature changes and reduces weed growth.

Organic mulches like pea straw, leaf litter and wood chips are old favourites; they also break down over time and add valuable organic matter to the soil.

2. Encourage Earthworms.

Earthworms help break down organic matter into nutrients and minerals that plants can use. The organic matter they recycle is a great natural source of food for your plants.

Earthworms also create tunnels as they move around, which aerates the soil. The enables better access to essential oxygen for plant roots, plus makes it easier for roots to access water and physically grow through soil.

3. Make Your Own Compost.

Compost is a fantastic soil improver, and it’s easy to make your own. By layering different organic materials like a lasagne and then letting it 'bake', you’ll be literally turning annoying waste into rich food for your garden. Grab some tips from our How to make compost guide.

4. Use Soil Improvers and Organic Fertilisers.

When used regularly, organic fertilisers like Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food will improve soil health by encouraging beneficial microorganisms; this really brings your soil to life. They also increase the organic matter content in soil, which eases the movement of water, oxygen and nutrients through soil, but also assists with retaining moisture and nutrients.

Soil improvers like Yates Gypsum Clay Breaker Soil Improver Granules are a time-honoured method to improve the drainage of heavy clay soil. As an added bonus, Yates Gypsum Clay Breaker is much less messy to work with than traditional powdered gypsum. 

5. Give Potting Mix More Thought.

A good rule of thumb when it comes to potting mix is: don't go for the cheapest bag.

If you consider that potting mix fills the role of soil for many plants, it makes sense to apply the same principles to it, as with improving soil. Potting mix is more important to plant health than many gardeners realise. If you've spent good money on a plant, it's worth investing a little extra to make sure the potting mix delivers a healthy, fertile growing environment. It does make a difference!